SHREVEPORT-Centenary student-athletes, staff, and coaches gathered for a night of celebration to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication they have put forth throughout the year to represent Centenary and its athletic department on Tuesday evening at its annual Athletic Banquet hosted by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

This event is a time to pay tribute to representing something larger than themselves as athletes were greeted with a special guest speaker in Tim Brando.

Brando, a Shreveport native, is a sports broadcaster and play-by-play announcer for notable networks like ESPN, Fox Sports Net and CBS. Covering just about every sport known, Brando shares a love for college athletics and its athletes who make the sports what they truly are.

With a deep connection with Centenary from his father, who attended the College after WWII, Brando opened the night with a personal connection he has with several of the coaches, including Ed McCann from baseball, Emlyn Aubrey of golf and Greg Gary of men's basketball.

A sense of humor, Brando laughed about how he used to call Gary's college games.

"This is when you know you are old, when you used to call play-by-play for their college games," said Brando.

A voice that is as distinctive as legendary Dick Vitale, Brando also stressed the importance of three "P's", passion, priorities, and perseverance along with the idea of "following your dreams."

"As long as you are passionate about what you're doing...that's really all that matters," said Brando to a room filled with ambitious student-athletes.

His connection to college athletics and being a part of a team was evident as he commented quite often about being a team leader and having the passion to follow through with what you love to do.

"You are in a situation where you are playing for Centenary College and the Division I level. It's your passion that means the most at this point," said Brando.

Director of Athletics, Dr. Tom Tallach and Faculty Athletic Representative, Dr. David Hoaas also spoke as Tallach welcomed the crowd to the event and Hoaas introduced Brando. Junior women's basketball player, Anne Farrell, gave the invocation and seniors Kristine Weaver and Quinn Larwood, Co-Presidents of SAAC wrapped up the night with closing remarks.

Seniors were recognized for their commitment to the department as well as members of the SAAC committee who made the banquet possible.

For the third year in a row, the banquet was held at the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza in Shreveport.